Serbia at the last gasp, thanks to Jovic’s goal which arrived a few seconds before the gong. So Stojkovic’s team still keeps their hopes of qualifying alive and Slovenia instead despairs, because with victory they would have put one foot in the round of 16.
Slovenian first half
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You expect Serbia to be on the attack, animated by the great desire to eliminate that last place in the group, but instead it is the small and willing Slovenia, supported by many fans (many of whom arrived in Monaco by car) who believe in it the most . Not only because he had the most dangerous opportunity of the first half (the post hit by Esnik just before the break) but also because of how he interpreted the match: dribbling, searching for width and verticalisations, with Mlakaar a man everywhere and Sesko dangerous especially in progression, to which a lot of competitive spirit must be added. It’s clear that they care about making a good impression and chasing a stoic goal: getting into the quarterfinals. Thus Kek’s men reined in the more renowned Serbia, who with Sergej Milinkovic Savic on the bench (technical choice) left their opponents to dominate the midfield and seemed incapable of controlling the game, as coach Stojkovic had asked the day before. The new Tadic (out with England) behind Mitrovic and Vlahovic does not bear fruit and instead of attacking Serbia ends up closing down. At least until the half hour mark, when a header from Vlahovic (first shot on goal: his most dangerous shot) shook them. Little by little they become more enterprising and just before the end of the first half they create a scoring opportunity for Mitrovic (shot intercepted by Oblak).
shocking ending
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In the second half Serbia started better and immediately had a great opportunity with Mitrovic. Gracinovic’s entry into the field in place of Mladenovic was positive. The score changes, the Serbs get the ball and dribble back and the Slovenians close in, but in the end they are the ones who find the advantage. It happens a few minutes after Milinkovic Savic and Jovic entered the field in place of Lukic and Vlahovic (certainly not among the worst): the former Lazio player loses Karnicnik who, after stealing the ball and starting an excellent move, is ready under the door. Serbia reacts, hits the crossbar with Mitrovic and sends in Samardzic and Birmancevic. Just when the Slovenian fans were savoring their first success at the European Championship, Jovic equalized with a header from the fray.
